Radiator



1936. E. s. CORNELL, JR 1 2,065,515

- RADIATOR I Filed Dec. 19; 1934 s sheds-sheet 1 6 61NVENT%/ ATTORNEY.

e 1936. E. CORNELL, JR 2,065,515

RADIATOR I Filed Dec. 19, 1934 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 :I 11 11 I i ffffi: I Z: If: 11 1111 l rag f8 E if INVENTOR 63': f6 6 m jig 6 mm X ATTORNEY.

E. CORNELL, JR

RADIATOR Filed D90. 19, 1934 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. 6 M )1 Dec. 29, 1936. E. s. CORNELL, JR 2,065,515

ATTORNEY.

Dec. 29, 1936.

E. S. CORNELL, JR

RADIATOR Filed Dec. 19, 1934 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 it E;

\ww FEE M NFR 9% :E a \N kw w viw ATTORNEY.

2. S. CORNELL. JR

Dec. 29; 193s.

RADIATOR 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Dec. 19, 1954 a W I 75.

' INVENTOR. 'mM 6% BY ma4 1&5 ATTORNEY.

I Patented Dec. 29, 1936 PATENT OFFICE RADIATOR Edward S. Cornell, Jr., Larchmont, N. Y., assignor to American Radiator Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New Jersey Application December 19, 1934, Serial No. 758,262

25 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in heat exchange apparatus, such as radiators or the like adapted to be supplied with steam, hot water or other operating fluid, and the same has for its object to provide a reliable, compact, and efficient apparatus which comprises a plurality of tubular, heat exchange elements connected to headers and enclosed within a frame, and which provides at low cost a light weight u'nit capable of being readily assembled with like units in multiple to adjust the capacity thereof to the thermal requirements of the room or space to be heated thereby.

Further, said invention has for its object to provide an apparatus of the'character specified in which the tubular elements are preferably formed of relativelylight metal of high thermal conductivity and arranged to form a compact structure with the fins on said elements so disposed as to offer a minimum of resistance to the passage of air through the structure.

Further, said invention has for its object to provide an apparatus of the character specified in which the tubular heat exchange elements are self compensating for expansion and contraction to prevent distortion or other damage thereto, orrupture at their iunctures with the headers which is liable to cause leaking.

Further, said invention has for its object to provide an apparatus of the character specified in which the heat exchange member formed by said tubular elements and said headers is firmly supported against play within the frame therefor without causing stresses or strains upon the component parts due to differences in the expansion and contraction thereof.

Further, said invention has for its object to provide an apparatus of the character specified in which the heat exchange member is yieldingly through'the several tubular elements, and tofacilitate drainage of the condensate therefrom.

Further, said invention has for its object to 55 provide an apparatus of the character specified supported or cushioned within the enclosing in which the header for distributing the operating fiuid to and through the tubular heatexchange elements is formed or cast with the outlet openings thereof imperforate or webbed so that upon installation of the system metering orifices of the area desired may be formed in said webs to satisfy the conditions of operation or use.

Further, said invention has for its object to provide an apparatus of the character specified in which any of said tubularheat exchange elements may be readily disengaged or disconnected from their respective headers and replaced without requiring disassembly of the remaining portion of the structure or unit.

Further, said invention has for its object to provide an apparatus of the character specified in which the units may be secured together in multiple by direct interconnection between the headers of contiguous units with the frames in juxtaposition without imposing stresses or strains upon the frames.

Further, said invention has for its object to provide an apparatus of the character specified in which the headers are of substantial mass and serve as anchorages for the connecting means between contiguous units so as to enable the use of connectors of substantial size, and in order to minimize the number thereof required to duly connect the units together.

Other objects will in part be obvious, and in part be pointed out hereinafter.

To the attainment of the aforesaid objects and ends, my invention consists in the novel features of construction, and in the combination, connection and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described and then pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of one form of apparatus constructed according to and embodying my said invention;

Fig. 2 is an end elevation thereof;

Fig. 3 is a plan thereof;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section on the line of Fi 1;

Fig. 5 is a vertical section on the line 55 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is anenlarged detail sectional view of the tube;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail sectional view on the line l-'l of Fig. 2;

Fig. ,8 is an enlarged detail sectional view on the line 8-8 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 9 is a p1anof the bottom header;

Fig. 10 is an elevation thereof with parts broken away;

Fig. 11 is a plan of the top header;

Fig. 12 is a side elevation thereof with parts broken away; 7

Fig. 13 is an elevation showing the endsof two radiator units secured together, and

Fig. 14 is a detail sectional view through a portion of two connected units.

Referring to the drawings, the radiator units or sections l0 and II are adapted to be connected together in any desired number as hereinafter described, which sections may vary in length if so desired to more readily adapt the same to the requirements for heat.

Each-radiator section comprises a plurality of parallel rows of tubes or elements l2 engaging at their ends the nipples I3 and I4 upon the headers I5 and I6, said tubes being soldered upon or otherwise secured to said nipples. The radiator tubes l2 are preferably composed of a metal of high thermal conductivity, such as thin copper or brass, and are preferably provided with fins or extended surface members I! of the same material for increasing the radiating surface.

The headers l 5 and I6 are preferably cast from a suitable metal, such as brass, bronze, etc. The upper header I5, into which 61'' operating fluid enters, has preferably a flat lower surface ID from which the nipples l3 project while the upper side l9 thereof is tapered downwardly from the centrally located inlet neck 20 adapted to be connected to the steam or operating fluid lines for distribution of the steam or fluid to the various tubes l2, the condensate passing into the lower header l6 and out through the outlet neck 2| located at one end thereof to the usual return pipes. The header I6 has a flat upper side 22 from which the nipples I 4 project, and a lower side 23 which is inclined from one end thereof downwardly to the outlet neck 2|.

In the particular embodiment of the invention herein disclosed each of the headers l5 and I6 has two rows of nipples l3 and M, the nipples of one row being staggered relative to the nipples of the contiguous row. The nipples of each row are preferably reinforced at the bases thereof by the annular portions 24 connected together by the longitudinal ribportions 25. I

The nipples l3 and H are of such length as to allow the tubular elements l2 to be placed in position in engagement with said nipples and to be severally disengageable therefrom without requiring other disassembly of the unit. In positioning a tubular element l2 the lower end thereof is placed about one of the lower nipples l4 as shown in Fig. 5 and moved downwardly into engagement with the reinforcing portion 24. When in this position the upper end of the tube l2 will just clear the lower end of the correspond-' ing nipples l3 of the upper header l5. Upon moving the tube vertically about half the length of a nipple the same is engaged with the upper upper header l5, are preferably cast with the metal line 26 of-the wall at the base of the nipples l3 and I 4 continuous or imperforate. The nipples are cored out to substantially the metal line 26 to form the opening 21, leaving a web 28 at the base of the nipple. When the unit is to be installed a metering orifice 28 is formed through the web 28 of the desired size satisfying the requirements of the heating system or use.

The tubular elements l2 inherently compensate for expansion and contraction, and are preferably constructed in accordance with the method as shown and described more fully in my application Serial No. 644,786, flled November 29, 1932, which resulted in Patent No. 2,012,269, dated August 27, 1935.

As shown in Fig. 6, each fin tube I2 consists of a plurality of segments or sections 29 connected together. Each section 29 includes a tubular portion 30 and the fiat, circular flange portion l1 extending laterally from one end of said tubular portion 30. The tubular portion 30, before the element is connected to the remaining or contiguous element forming the tube, is provided with a series of inwardly and outwardly directed corrugations or folds 3|, 32, 33, 34 and terminates at its free end in an inwardly tapering or reduced end 35 to facilitate the fitting thereof into the flanged end of a contiguous element. When a section 29 is disposed within a contiguous section another corrugation 36 is formed by means of an expanding tool engaging the apron portion 30 which corrugation 36 interlocks with the inner side of the corrugation 32 of the contiguous section, a reverse corrugation 31 being formed at the same operation to interlock with the corrugation 3| of said contiguous section. By employing upper and lower holding dies capable of relative movement vertically into engagement with each other, the interlocking corrugations 3| and 31 are collapsed or flattened, and the interlocking corrugations 32 and 36, and the corrugation 34 of the upper section are likewise collapsed or flattened and brought into firm engagement with the contiguous flange or fin l'l.

When the contiguous sections are thus interlocked to form a strong, hermetical joint, the reduced tapered end 35, which: has then-been expanded against the inner side or wall of said contiguous segment, will form anapron whose lower end will be substantially in engagement with the upper portion or end of the apron 30 of said contiguous element, and forms therewithv a substantially smooth, unbroken inner wall completely enclosing or covering the corrugated portions of said tubular sections, and serving to reinforce interiorly the tube [2 as awhole.

The operation of formingthe corrugation 36 serves to shorten the length of the tapering portion 35 of the upper segment and bring the lower edge thereof into engagement with the upper .end of the contiguous apron portion 35.

I have discovered that the tubular elements l2, each comprising a plurality of segments or sections 29 having interengaging flattened loops or corrugations as above described, tend, when se cured to headers which are disposed in fixed relation, to contract when the temperature thereof increases, and vice versa. The extent to which this compensation takes place is proportional to the number of segments in the entire tube, and is effected because ofthe looped construction of the interlocking portions. Although the opposing portions of the several loops are brought substantiaily into contact and permanently deformed of said junctures or loops is infinitesimal, nevertheless the summation of the numerous compensating, effects has been found adequate to allow fordifferences in expansion and contraction between the headers l5 and I6 and the tubes l2, and thus, prevent rupture of or other damage to the tubes, or loosening of the joints between the tubes I2 and the headers l5 and I6.

The heat exchange member 38 including the headers l5 and I6 and the tubular elements I2 is preferably enclosed within a suitable frame 39, preferablymade of sheet metal and of rectangular outline. The frame 39 comprises top, bottom and side portions 40, 4|, 42 and 43 having outwardly directed flanges 44 about the margins thereof to strengthen and reinforce said portions, the top and bottom portions 40 and 4| being secured to the lateral or side portions 42 and 43 by screws or other fastening means 45 extending through the bases 46 of the portions 46 and 4| and end flange portions 44 of said lateral portions 42 and 43.

Resilient of cushioning members 41 and 48 are interposed between the heat exchange member 38 at the top and bottom thereof and said frame 39, and the same are secured to the headers l5 and I6 before the frame is assembled about the unit 38. For effecting such connection the upper header is provided at its top with bosses 49 having the ends thereof lying substantially on a horizontal line, the upper resilient member 41 being secured thereto by the screws 59. The lower header I6 is likewise provided with a series of bosses 5| at .its lower side having the ends thereof substantially on a horizontal line, the lower resilient member 48 being secured thereto by the screws 52. The members 41 and 48 are provided with openings 53 and 54, and the top and bottom frame portions 40 and 4| are provided with openings 53 and 54 through which the necks 20 and 2| respectively project.

The members 41 and 48 each comprise a resilient base portion including a substantially flat central portion 55 through which the screws 50, 52 extend in attaching the members to the bosses 49 or 5| of the headers, outer portions 56 extending outwardly at an angle from the central portion 55 towards the frame portion 46.0r 4|, vertical portions 51 extending in reverse direction, and inwardly directed terminal portions 58 extending inwardly over the headers I5 and I6 at the inner sides thereof to form shields or baffles for directing the air into contact with the finned elements l2. The portions 56 and 51 form edges or corners 59 engageable with the inner sides of the top and bottom frame portions 46 and 4|. The portions 55, 56 of each of the members 41 and 48 form bases yieldable relative to the frame portions 46, 4| to allow for difierences in the expansion and contraction between the heating member 38 and the enclosing frame 39 therefor.

The lower header is provided at the ends thereof with bosses 66 having threaded openings 6| therein for receivingscrews 62 for attaching the lateral frame portions 42 and 43 thereto, and threaded openings 63 therein for receiving the threaded ends of turn-buckles or other connectors 64 for connecting contiguous sections or units II] and II directly together through the contiguous lower headers l6 as hereinafter more fully described. The upper header l5 at theends thereof is likewise provided with bosses 65 having threaded openings 66 therein for receiving the threaded axles 61 of the rollers 68 adapted to ride in the vertical guideways 69 in the lateral'portions 42, 43 of the frame, the axles 61 riding in vertical slots "formed by punching out the vertical guideways 69 from the body of said lateral frame portions 42, 43. The heating member. 38 is thus supported laterally by the frame and has a floating engagement therewith at its upper end to allow for differences in expansion and contraction between the component parts.

The bosses 65 are also provided with threaded openings 1| in alignment with the slots 10 for receiving the threaded ends of the turn-buckles 64 for connecting the contiguous units together directly through the contiguous upper headers IS, the upper turn-buckle riding freely within the aligned slots 16 to allow for expansion and contraction.

. When it is desired tov assemble two or more units In and II in multiple, the units are arranged with the contiguous lateral frame por-.

. tiguous portions 42 or 43 being preferably inturned and abutting each other. In order to allow access between the contacting frame portions 42, 43 for manipulating the turn-buckles 64, the flanges 44 are preferably cut transversely as indicated at 13, and the cut portions turned inwardly to form reinforcing flanges 13, openings 14 being formed at the top and bottom in part in each of the contiguous flange portions 44. The turn-buckles 64 may be readily manipulated through the openings 14. The headers l5 and I6 are of substantial mass to afford adequate anchorages for the connectors 64 and allow the sections Ill and H to be connected directly together without imposing stress or strain upon the frame 39. Further, such connectors 64 may be made stronger and fewer will be required than if the frame were connected the other for connecting the'upper headers, the

upper connector 64 having a floating relation with the frames to allow for expansion and con traction.

By my invention I am able to utilize substantially straight finned heating elements l2 with the fins |1 thereof all arranged edgewise to the direction of the flow of air through the unit, a suitable blower or fan being usually employed with this type of radiator. With the straight tubes arranged in staggered relation a radiator is obtained of maximum compactness without sacrifice of efficiency. It is the self-compensating property of the structure of the tubes l2 which enables the use of straight tubes and the obtaining of the resulting compactness.

In the structure embodying my invention the heating member 38 is firmly retained within the frame 39 against play, and is resiliently supported or cushioned therein to allow for differences in expansion and contraction. Compensation for differences in expansion or contraction is provided for between the relatively light tubes I2 and the headers l5 and I6, between the heatwhen the units It! and II are connected together in multiple.

By means of my invention I am enabled to provide at low cost a compact, reliable and efficient heat exchange apparatus adapted for use with either a refrigerant or a heating fluid. The unit is also capable of being readily assembled and disassembled and to be adjustable in capacity to satisfy the operating conditions, the units being connectable in multiple, if so desired.

Having thus described my invention what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An apparatus of the character described comprising headers, and tubular elements connected to said headers, said elements each including a plurality of sections having transversely-corrugated portions in interlocking engagement, said interlocking transversely-corrugated portions collectively compensating for differences in expansion and contraction between said headers and said elements without producing lateral displacement of said tubular elements.

2. An apparatus of the character described comprising cast headers having nipples thereon, and straight, finned, tubular elements engaged with said nipples, said elements each including a plurality of interlocking sections composed of sheet metal of high thermal conductivity, and the junctures between said sections permitting of expansion and contraction in a line coinciding with the longitudinal axis of said element without producing lateral displacement thereof.

3. An apparatus of the character described comprising cast headers having rows of nipples thereon, said nipples having an enlarged metal line at the bases thereof connected together by rib portions forming thermo-conductive connections between the contiguous nipples of each row, and tubular elements connected to said nipples. 4. An apparatus of the character described comprising a heat exchange member including upper and lower headers, a frame enclosing said heat exchange member, and members secured to and embracing said headers, said last-named members having reentrant bases providing line engagements with the top and bottom portions or the frame and yieldably supporting said heat exchange member within said frame.

5. An apparatus of the character described comprising a heat exchange member, a frame enclosing said member, cushioning means interposed between said heat exchange member and the top and bottom portions of said frame, and connections between said heat exchange member and the side portibns of said frame, certain of said connections allowing relative movement between said heat exchange member and said frame to compensate for difierences in expansion and contraction between said heat exchange member and said frame.

- 6. An apparatus of the character described comprising a heat exchange member including headers and tubular elements engaged therewith, said tubular elements including means compensating for differences in expansion and contraction between said headers and said elements, a frame disposed about said heat exchange member, means interposed between said heat exchange member and said frame to compensate for differences in expansion and contraction between the same, and means on said heat exchange member slidably engaging the side portions of the frame for supporting said member while comoensating for differences in expansion and contraction between said heat exchange member and said frame.

7. An apparatus of the character described comprising a heat exchange member including headers and tubular elements engaged therewith, a frame disposed about said heat exchange member, cushioning members interposed between said member and said frame, means for connecting the lower header to the side portions of said frame, said side portions having vertical, slotted guideways in the upper parts thereof, and rollers on the upper header riding in said guideways.

8. An apparatus of the character described comprising an upper header having a relatively flat lower side provided with nipples and an upper side tapering downwardly from the center towards the ends and provided with a central inlet neck, a lower header having a relatively flat upper side provided with nipples and a lower side inclined from one end thereof to the other and terminating at the lower end in an outlet neck, said headers having bosses upon the inclined sides thereof, tubular elements engaged with said nipples, and a frame enclosing said headers and tubular elements and including parts secured to said bosses.

9. An apparatus of the character described comprising a plurality of units arranged side by side, each of said units including headers, tubular elements connecting the headers, and an enclosing frame, and means extending through the contiguous frame portions of the units and secured to the corresponding headers for connecting the units .together.

10. An apparatus of the character described comprising a plurality of units arranged side by side, each of said units including cast headers, tubular elements connecting the headers, and an enclosing frame, and turn-buckles connecting the contiguous upper and lower headers of said units.

11. An apparatus of the character described comprising a plurality of units arranged side by side, each of said units including cast headers, tubular elements connecting the headers, and a frame enclosing and yieldably supporting said headers and said tubular elements, and connectors extending through the contiguous frame portions of the units and secured to the corresponding headers of contiguous units.

12. An apparatus of the character described comprising a plurality of units arranged side by side, each of said units including cast headers having tubular elements connected thereto, a frame enclosing the headers and elements, cushioning members interposed between said headers and said frame, anrl connecting members anchored in the corresponding-headers of the contiguous units and extending through the side portions of said frames, the upper parts of said side portions having slots therein to allow movement of the upper connecting member relative to said side portions.

13. An apparatus of the character described comprising a plurality of units each including headers, tubular elements connecting the same and an enclosing frame, said frames having at the sides thereof outwardly and inwardly directed flanges, the inwardly directed portions of said flanges abutting each other, and the upper and lower parts of the outwardly directed portions of said flanges having openings formed therein, and means accessible through said openings for connecting the corresponding headers of said units together.

14. An apparatus of the character described comprising a plurality of contiguous units each including upper and lower headers, tubular elements connecting the same, enclosing frame and cushioning members interposed between said headers and said frame, the upper parts of the side portions of said frame having slotted guideways therein, means on said upper header adapted to ride in said slotted guideways, and connections between the corresponding upper and-lower headers of the contiguous units, the upper connecting means extending through the slots of the contiguous side portions of the frames of said units to allow relative movement between the parts.

15. An apparatus of the character described tween said headers and the top and bottom portions of said frame, said last named members having reentrant base portions secured to the contiguous headers and providing yieldable line engagements with said top and bottom portions at the edges thereof, lateral portions extending vertically at the opposite sides of said headers and terminal portions extending inwardly towards said headers contiguous to the ends of said tubular elements.

16. An apparatus of the character described comprising an integrally cast header including nipples for sweated engagement with tubular heat exchange elements, said nipples being unite ed at their base portions by integrally formed means constituting an excess mass of metal serving to conduct heat from a nipple subjected to heating in the course of making a sweated joint to an adjacent nipple.

17. An apparatus of the character described comprising an integrally cast header including nipples for the attachment of tubular heat exchange elements, said nipples having imperforate webs closing the inner ends thereof capable of being apertured to form metering orifices sized to the heat exchange requirements.

18. An apparatus of the character described comprising a heat exchange member including headers of irregular contour having bosses extending therefrom, a frame of symmetrical contour, and members secured to said bosses and engaging the contiguous portions of the frame to adapt the heat exchange member to the interior contour of the frame and support the same in close fitting relation therein.

19. An apparatus of the character described comprising a heat exchange member including headers, a frame open at opposite sides, and members interposed between the headers and the frame for supporting the heat exchange member duly positioned therein and ext-ending over opposite sides of said headers to form panels at the open sides of the frame contiguous to said headers.

20. An apparatus of the character described comprising a heat exchange member including headers, a frame, and resilient sheet metal members between the headers and contiguous portions of the frame for adapting the heat' exchange member to the interior of the frame and resiliently supporting the same therein.

21. An apparatus of the character described comprising a heat exchange member including headers, a frame, and resilient sheet metal members disposed between the headers and the frame, and deflecting shields extending from said members at opposite sides-of the headers.

22. An apparatus of the character described comprising a heat exchange member including headers, a frame, and sheet metal members secured to said headers and having resilient bases interposed between the headers and the frame for resiliently supporting the heat exchange member duly seated within the frame, and angularly related side portions forming air deflecting shields about said headers.

23. An apparatus of the character described comprising a plurality of heat exchange members, enclosing frames therefor disposed side by side, and coupling members extending through the contiguous frame portions and connecting said heat exchange members together independently of said enclosing frames.

24. An apparatus of the character described comprising a plurality of heat exchange members, frames enclosing said heat exchange members, said frames having contiguous portions tiguous portions forming an enclosure separat ing said heat exchange members from each other, and members spanning the space within said enclosure and securing said heat exchange members together in separated relation,

EDWARD s. CORNELL, JR. 

